Post Care of Procedures
Please contact the office at (207)-465-7300 or smile@lakesregiondental.info if you have any concerns following a procedure
Extractions
After you have a tooth extracted it is important to follow post care instructions to alleviate pain, swelling and prevent complications.
Numbness after extraction: You will be numb for several hours after the extraction. Be careful to avoid biting your lip, cheek, or other areas while you are numb.
Bleeding after extraction: We will place gauze over the extraction site before you leave. Continue to bite and apply firm pressure for 45 minutes to help form a blood clot. We will give you extra gauze to replace as needed. If there is oozing after gauze is removed you can try biting on a moist tea bag, or moist gauze with firm pressure until it stops. Small amounts of blood are normal but if heavy bleeding continues please contact us ASAP. Avoid strenuous activity that would cause increase in blood pressure.
Maintaining the blood clot: A blood clot is essential in the extraction site for healing. Losing the blood clot is called dry socket and can be painful and slow the healing process. Call us if this happens. For the first 24 hours: NO smoking, straws, sucking on hard candies/mints, hot liquids. Try and eat a soft nutritious diet. Avoid tooth brushing or flossing the extraction area aggressively for the rest of the day.
Managing swelling and pain: After an extraction you may experience swelling or pain. For the first day you can minimize swelling with an ice compress 20 minutes on, 20 minutes off. After 24 hours you can swish gently with a saline solution of ½ tsp table salt in warm water several times a day and after eating. If you need over the counter pain medications: Ibuprofen 800 mg 3 times a day alternating with Tylenol 325 mg 3 times a day. If taking a narcotic (Vicodin) do not take Tylenol.
Please contact us if you have any concerns, and immediately if having increase in bleeding, swelling, or pain: at the office (207) 465-7300 or after hours (207) 624-1648
Fillings & CrownS
Some normal things you may experience following treatment:
It is normal to have slight hot/cold sensitivity for a week or two. As long as the sensitivity goes away and doesn’t linger, it is normal.
It is normal if your gums are sensitive and sore when you brush and floss for 3-5 days following treatment. There may be slight bleeding.
It is normal that the areas where you had the injections will be sore and actually appear a little white or peeling for 3-5 days following treatment.
It is normal to have temporary sore jaws/jaw joints from being open during the procedure.
We checked your bite before you left, but when you are numb you sometimes may bite differently. If after a couple of days, you notice that your bite is “high” or “taller” on the side of the dental work, please reach out to the office to make time to adjust this.
If you are experiencing severe aching/throbbing pain from the tooth and/or continuous pain that lingers more than 30-60 seconds after eating/drinking something hot or cold I invite you to contact the office 207-465-7300 to let me know.
Items to note if you have had a filling or crown:
Having a cavity increases the risk of more cavities forming. Until you have been cavity free for 2-3 years I recommend annual bitewing x-rays to closely monitor for new cavities before they become large and require extensive treatments.
With silver fillings, try not to chew on that side for at least 24 hours after a filling treatment, and avoid hard and sticky foods. If you have had a crown or white filling you can floss and eat as normal.
Periodontal Therapy
Home care instructions following periodontal therapy (deep cleaning): Use an extra soft toothbrush gently along the gumline, you may see residual bleeding or blood clots. Floss daily to prevent build up and remove food particles. Warm salt water rinses (½ a teaspoon of salt, in a glass of warm water) will help healing and tenderness. Use as often as needed and/or after eating.
Diet: Avoid spicy and acidic foods that may irritate gum tissues. Avoid crunchy (chips, nuts, seeds, popcorn) that may get lodged in gum tissues. Wait until numbness has worn off before eating. Healthy nutritious foods will encourage healing and healthy teeth and gums.
Discomfort: An over the counter non-steroidal anti-inflammatory like Ibuprofen may be needed, take as directed. Call us if you have any concerns about pain after scaling and root planing: (207) 465-7300 or after hours (207) 624-1648. It is not normal to have sudden onset or increase in pain or swelling.
Avoid tobacco use: Toxins from the tobacco smoke will impede healing and increase risk for infection and progression of gum disease. We are here for you to help you quit. You can also call the 24 hour Maine Tobacco Quit Hotline 1-800-207-1230
Sensitivity: Teeth may become sensitive to extreme hot or cold temperatures. Avoid food or drink that is iced cold or too hot until resolved.
Using a toothpaste for sensitive teeth with the ingredient potassium nitrate will help long term sensitivity.